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Gonçalves AR, Telo da Gama L, Antunes L, Guimarães H, Bliebernicht M, Duarte JC, Cosinha C, Duarte Rego B, Ferro da Costa P, Guimarães T, Rocha A, Bettencourt E. Impact of inbreeding and genetic parameter estimates for seminal traits in Lusitano horses. Theriogenology 2023; 208:43-51. [PMID: 37295289 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to establish baseline information for seminal traits in Lusitano stallions, to assess the impact of inbreeding, interval between collections and age on semen quality during the breeding and non-breeding seasons, and to estimate the corresponding genetic parameters. A total of 2129 ejaculates by 146 Lusitano stallions used for artificial insemination, obtained from four equine reproduction centers distributed throughout Portugal, over a period of 14 years (2008-2021), were included in the study. The seminal traits analyzed, and the corresponding means and standard deviations, were gel-free volume (56.95 ± 28.76 mL), concentration (186.48 ± 104.68 × 106), motility (64.1 ± 16.9%), total number of spermatozoa (TNS) (9.271 ± 4.956 × 109) and total number of motile spermatozoa per ejaculate (TNMS) (5.897 ± 3.587 × 109). These results are in the normal range of values described for other breeds. In the stallions analyzed, the mean value for the inbreeding coefficient was 7.93 ± 5.29%, and for age it was 12.70 ± 6.83 years. A significant decline in sperm concentration, motility, TNS, and TNMS was observed as inbreeding increased. The season also influenced sperm concentration, motility, TNS and TNMS, with the highest values observed during the breeding season. When considering the impact of age on Lusitano seminal parameters, results showed a nonlinear relationship, with a positive effect until 18 years of age for volume, motility, TNS and TNMS and a negative effect after this age, with a slow decrease. However, age had a markedly negative effect on sperm concentration. The interval between semen collections only affected (P < 0.05) sperm motility, with a regression coefficient of +1.89 ± 2.17% per additional day. Genetic parameters were estimated with an Animal Model, and the estimated heritability (repeatability) was 0.27 (0.35) for volume, 0.02 (0.38) for sperm concentration, 0.24 (0.44) for motility, 0.29 (0.39) for TNS and 0.41 (0.41) for TNMS. These results suggest that it is possible to improve semen quality by selection and that the properties of semen produced by a stallion tend to remain consistent throughout its lifetime. Furthermore, the impact of inbreeding should be taken into consideration when selecting Lusitano stallions for fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Gonçalves
- MED Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554, Évora, Portugal
| | - Luis Telo da Gama
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS). Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal; Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Luis Antunes
- Multivet, Serviços veterinários de Equinos e espécies pecuárias, Lda. Rua Professor Alfredo Reis n.º51, 7005-585, Évora, Portugal
| | - Helena Guimarães
- MED Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554, Évora, Portugal
| | | | | | - Cristina Cosinha
- LusoPecus, Rua da Fábrica 58C, 2135-144, Samora Correia, Portugal
| | | | | | - Tiago Guimarães
- Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal; ICBAS, Laboratório Associado Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - António Rocha
- Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal; ICBAS, Laboratório Associado Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Elisa Bettencourt
- MED Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554, Évora, Portugal
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2
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Laseca N, Anaya G, Peña Z, Pirosanto Y, Molina A, Demyda Peyrás S. Impaired Reproductive Function in Equines: From Genetics to Genomics. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:393. [PMID: 33546520 PMCID: PMC7913728 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertility is one of the key factors in the economic and productive success of the equine industry. Despite this, studies on the genetic causes affecting reproductive performance are scarce, especially in mares, where the genetic architecture of the reproductive traits is extremely complex. Today, with the increasing availability of new genomic methodologies for this species, we are presented with an interesting opportunity to understand the genetic basis of equine reproductive disorders. These include, among others, novel techniques for detecting chromosomal abnormalities, whose association with infertility in horses was established over 50 years ago; new sequencing technologies permitting an accurate detection of point mutations influencing fertility, as well as the study of inbreeding and molecular homozygosity, which has been widely suggested as one of the main causes of low reproductive performance in horses. Finally, over the last few years, reproductive performance has also been associated with copy number variants and candidate genes detected by genome-wide association studies on fertility traits. However, such studies are still scarce, probably because they depend on the existence of large and accurate phenotypic datasets of reproductive and/or fertility traits, which are still difficult to obtain in equines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Laseca
- Departamento de genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales Ctra, Madrid-Cádiz, km 396, 14071 Córdoba, Spain; (N.L.); (G.A.); (Z.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Gabriel Anaya
- Departamento de genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales Ctra, Madrid-Cádiz, km 396, 14071 Córdoba, Spain; (N.L.); (G.A.); (Z.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Zahira Peña
- Departamento de genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales Ctra, Madrid-Cádiz, km 396, 14071 Córdoba, Spain; (N.L.); (G.A.); (Z.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Yamila Pirosanto
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina;
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), CCT-La Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina
| | - Antonio Molina
- Departamento de genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales Ctra, Madrid-Cádiz, km 396, 14071 Córdoba, Spain; (N.L.); (G.A.); (Z.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Sebastián Demyda Peyrás
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina;
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), CCT-La Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina
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Martins-Bessa A, Quaresma M, Leiva B, Calado A, Arando A, Marín C, Navas FJ. Age-related linear and nonlinear modelling of semen quality parameters in Miranda donkeys. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2021.1933629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martins-Bessa
- Departamento de Ciências Veterinárias, Escola de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Center, CECAV, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
- Hospital Veterinário, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Miguel Quaresma
- Animal and Veterinary Research Center, CECAV, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
- Hospital Veterinário, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Belén Leiva
- AEPGA – Associação para o Estudo e Protecção do Gado Asinino, Atenor, Miranda do Douro, Portugal
| | - Ana Calado
- Departamento de Ciências Veterinárias, Escola de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Center, CECAV, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ander Arando
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Carmen Marín
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Navas
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación y Formación Agraria y Pesquera (IFAPA), Córdoba, Alameda del Obispo, Spain
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Greiser T, Sieme H, Martinsson G, Distl O. Breed and stallion effects on frozen-thawed semen in warmblood, light and quarter horses. Theriogenology 2019; 142:8-14. [PMID: 31561132 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of the present study were to analyze systematic effects on semen quality traits from fresh and frozen-thawed semen collected in and outside season. A total of 4,681 reports on semen traits of 121 stallions representing Arabian, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and four warmblood breeds used for artificial insemination at the Lower Saxon National stud Celle were edited for analysis of gel-free volume, sperm concentration, total number of sperm and total number of motile sperm in fresh semen and in frozen-thawed semen progressive motility, DNA fragmentation index and non-viable sperm. Month, year, age, breed and stallions effects were analyzed with a linear mixed model procedure. Breed differences were significant for sperm concentration, total number of sperm, total motile sperm number and DNA fragmentation index. Hanoverian stallions showed significant higher least squares means for sperm concentration, total number of sperm and total motile sperm number in fresh semen, whereas Thoroughbred had significant higher least squares means for DNA fragmentation index. Stallions with an age of 2-6 years had significant lower least squares means in sperm concentration, total number of sperm and total motile sperm number and progressively motile sperm post-thawing than the other age groups. Month was significant for all semen traits but progressively motile sperm post-thawing. Month by age class interaction showed a significant influence. Inter-stallion variance accounted for 27-71% and the two-way stallion by month interaction for 2-7% of the total variance of semen quality traits. The largest proportion of inter-individual variance among stallions was obtained for the DNA fragmentation index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Greiser
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17p, 30559, Hannover, Germany; Unit of Reproductive Medicine-Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 15, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Harald Sieme
- Unit of Reproductive Medicine-Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 15, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Ottmar Distl
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17p, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
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Alamaary MS, Haron AW, Ali M, Hiew MWH, Adamu L, Peter ID. Effects of four extenders on the quality of frozen semen in Arabian stallions. Vet World 2019; 12:34-40. [PMID: 30936651 PMCID: PMC6431823 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.34-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Different types of extenders have a variety of components which show the tolerance effect on sperm protection during freezing procedures. In the present study, we have examined the impact of the extenders HF-20 and Tris, which were locally manufactured, and they are competing with commercial extenders INRA Freeze® (IMV Technologies, France) and EquiPlus Freeze® (Minitube, Germany) on the quality of horses frozen semen. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 ejaculates from three healthy stallions were collected and cryopreserved in the same environment. Each semen sample collected was divided into four equal parts and processed. All samples were analyzed before and after freezing for motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity, and morphology. Furthermore, twenty mares were inseminated using post-thawed semen. Results: There were no differences observed among all extenders in all the parameters before freezing. Sperm cryopreserved using HF-20 showed better motility, viability, and plasma membrane integrity than Tris extender. The Tris extender showed the most inferior quality of post-thawed semen between all the extenders. HF-20, INRA Freeze®, and EquiPlus Freeze® extenders revealed the same capacity of semen preservation in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: HF-20 extender has the same quality as INRA Freeze® and EquiPlus Freeze® that can be considered as one of the best extenders for the semen cryopreservation in horses. In contrast, Tris extender needs some degree of improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohaammed Saad Alamaary
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.,King Abdulaziz Arabian Horses Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abd Wahid Haron
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Department of Animal Production and Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, AL Qassim University, AL Qassim State, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mark Wen Han Hiew
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Lawan Adamu
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
| | - Innocent Damudu Peter
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
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6
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Silva DM, Holden SA, Lyons A, Souza JC, Fair S. In vitro addition of docosahexaenoic acid improves the quality of cooled but not frozen-thawed stallion semen. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:2021-2027. [PMID: 28171739 DOI: 10.1071/rd16473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of the addition of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the in vitro quality of cooled and frozen-thawed stallion semen. In Experiment 1, semen from 10 stallions was collected (three ejaculates per stallion). Semen was diluted to 100×106 spermatozoa mL-1 with 0.02mM vitamin E (VE) and 0, 1, 10 or 20ng mL-1 DHA and frozen. Semen was thawed and total motility (TM), rapid progressive motility (PM), acrosome integrity, membrane fluidity and morphology were assessed. In Experiment 2, semen from three stallions was collected (three ejaculates per stallion) and frozen as in Experiment 1, but VE and DHA were added after thawing. TM and PM were assessed at 30, 60 and 120min and viability, acrosome integrity and membrane fluidity were evaluated at 30min. In Experiment 3, semen from five stallions was collected (one to three ejaculates per stallion), diluted to 20×106 spermatozoa mL-1 and stored at 4°C. After 1, 24, 48 and 72h, TM, PM, viability, membrane fluidity and lipid peroxidation were assessed. The addition of DHA had no effect on frozen semen (Experiments 1 and 2) but improved TM, PM and membrane fluidity in cooled stallion semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Silva
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Sul de Minas Gerais - Campus Machado, Machado, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - S A Holden
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co Limerick, Ireland
| | - A Lyons
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co Limerick, Ireland
| | - J C Souza
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - S Fair
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co Limerick, Ireland
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7
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Gottschalk M, Sieme H, Martinsson G, Distl O. Analysis of breed effects on semen traits in light horse, warmblood, and draught horse breeds. Theriogenology 2016; 85:1375-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Revised: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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8
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Kjöllerström HJ, do Mar Oom M, Chowdhary BP, Raudsepp T. Fertility Assessment in Sorraia Stallions by Sperm-Fish and Fkbp6 Genotyping. Reprod Domest Anim 2016; 51:351-9. [PMID: 27020485 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The Sorraia, a critically endangered indigenous Iberian horse breed, is characterized by low genetic variability, high rate of inbreeding, bad sperm quality and subfertility. Here, we studied 11 phenotypically normal but subfertile Sorraia stallions by karyotyping, sex chromosome sperm-FISH and molecular analysis of FKBP6 - a susceptibility locus for impaired acrosome reaction (IAR). The stallions had normal sperm concentration (>300 million cells/ml), but the numbers of progressively motile sperm (21%) and morphologically normal sperm (28%) were invariably low. All stallions had a normal 64,XY karyotype. The majority of sperm (89%) had normal haploid sex chromosome content, although 11% of sperm carried various sex chromosome aneuploidies. No correlation was found between the percentage of sperm sex chromosome abnormalities and inbreeding, sperm morphology or stallion age. Direct sequencing of FKBP6 exon 4 for SNPs g.11040315G>A and g.11040379C>A revealed that none of the stallions had the susceptibility genotype (A/A-A/A) for IAR. Instead, all animals had a G/G-A/A genotype - a testimony of low genetic variability. The findings ruled out chromosomal abnormalities and genetic predisposition for IAR as contributing factors for subfertility. However, low fertility of the Sorraia stallions could be partly attributed to relatively higher rate of sex chromosome aneuploidies in the sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Kjöllerström
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - M do Mar Oom
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - T Raudsepp
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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9
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In vivo fertilizing ability of stallion spermatozoa processed by single layer centrifugation with Androcoll-E™. Saudi J Biol Sci 2016; 24:1489-1496. [PMID: 30294217 PMCID: PMC6169511 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A colloid with a species specific silane-coated, silica-based formulation, optimized for stallion (Androcoll-E™), enables a better sub-population of spermatozoa to be selected from stallion ejaculates. However, such a practice has not been critically evaluated in stallions with fertility problems. In this study we evaluate whether single-layer centrifugation (SLC) through Androcoll-E™ could be used to enhance fertility rates in a subfertile stallion. Ejaculates were obtained from two different stallions, one Lusitano (fertile) and one Sorraia (subfertile), with distinct sperm characteristics and fertility. Motility, morphology, plasma membrane structural (eosin-nigrosin) and functional integrity (HOS test), mitochondrial functionality (Δψm; JC-1) and longevity (motility after 72 h cooling) after centrifugation in Androcoll-E™, as well as pregnancy rates obtained after artificial insemination (AI), with and without (control group) SLC-treated sperm were assessed. The effect of SLC on sperm characteristics, and fertility results were evaluated by ANOVA and Fisher procedures, respectively. Our results showed that SLC-selected sperm did not differ from the raw semen in terms of viability, morphology, response to hypo-osmotic conditions (HOS test) and mitochondrial membrane potential (↑ΔΨmit; JC-1). Sperm motility in cooled samples was not improved by SLC treatment. Our data show that SLC through Androcoll-E™ has no effect on pregnancy rates in the stallions used in this trial.
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10
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11
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Morrell JM, Stuhtmann G, Meurling S, Lundgren A, Winblad C, Macias Garcia B, Johannisson A. Sperm yield after single layer centrifugation with Androcoll-E is related to the potential fertility of the original ejaculate. Theriogenology 2014; 81:1005-11. [PMID: 24582376 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Many attempts have been made to identify laboratory tests that are predictive of sperm fertility, both to improve the quality of stallion semen doses for artificial insemination (AI) and to identify potential breeding sires if no fertility data are available. Sperm quality at the stud is mostly evaluated by assessing subjective motility, although this parameter can be poorly indicative of fertility. Sperm morphology and chromatin integrity in Swedish stallions are correlated to pregnancy rate after AI. Because single layer centrifugation (SLC) selects for spermatozoa with normal morphology and good chromatin, retrospective analysis was carried out to investigate whether sperm yield after SLC is linked to potential fertility. Commercial semen doses for AI from 24 stallions (five stallions with four ejaculates each, 19 stallions with three ejaculates each; n = 77) obtained during the breeding season were cooled, and sent overnight to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in an insulated box for evaluation, with other doses being sent to studs for commercial AI. On arrival at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the semen was used for SLC and also for evaluation of sperm motility, membrane integrity, chromatin integrity, and morphology. The seasonal pregnancy rates for each stallion were available. The yield of progressively motile spermatozoa after SLC (calculated as a proportion of the initial load) was found to be highly correlated with pregnancy rate (r = 0.75; P < 0.001). Chromatin damage was highly negatively correlated with pregnancy rate (r = -0.69; P < 0.001). Pregnancy rate was also correlated with membrane integrity (r = 0.58; P < 0.01), progressive motility (r = 0.63; P < 0.01), and normal morphology (r = 0.45; P < 0.05). In conclusion, these preliminary results show that sperm yield after SLC is related to the potential fertility of the original ejaculate, and could be an alternative indicator of stallion fertility if breeding data are not available. Single layer centrifugation is fast (30 minutes) and does not require expensive equipment, whereas other assays require a flow cytometer and/or specialist skills. An additional option could be to transport semen doses to a laboratory for SLC if the stud personnel do not want to perform the procedure themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Morrell
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.
| | | | | | - A Lundgren
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - C Winblad
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - B Macias Garcia
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - A Johannisson
- Anatomy Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
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12
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Adamou A, Arantxa E, Olga M. Seminal Characteristics in Spanish Purebred Stallions: A Retrospective Study. J Equine Vet Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2012.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Serafini R, Longobardi V, Spadetta M, Neri D, Ariota B, Gasparrini B, Di Palo R. Trypan Blue/Giemsa Staining to Assess Sperm Membrane Integrity in Salernitano Stallions and its Relationship to Pregnancy Rates. Reprod Domest Anim 2013; 49:41-7. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R Serafini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production Federico II University of Naples–Via F. Naples Italy
| | - V Longobardi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production Federico II University of Naples–Via F. Naples Italy
| | - M Spadetta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production Federico II University of Naples–Via F. Naples Italy
| | - D Neri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production Federico II University of Naples–Via F. Naples Italy
| | - B Ariota
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production Federico II University of Naples–Via F. Naples Italy
| | - B Gasparrini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production Federico II University of Naples–Via F. Naples Italy
| | - R Di Palo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production Federico II University of Naples–Via F. Naples Italy
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14
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Mata F. Evaluation of growth models for follicle development and ovulation in Lusitano mares. Anim Reprod Sci 2012. [PMID: 23182468 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Several growth models are commonly used in the biological sciences, to model the follicle growth occurring in the estrous cycle. The aim of this project was to find the model that best fit the follicular size growth data for Lusitano mares. Retrospective data collected from reproduction book records of n=84 mares and n=124 cycles was used to find the series to be fitted to the models. The exponential, Gompertz, logistic, von Bertalanffy, Richards and Weibull models were used, and the most parsimonious and best fit was achieved with the logistic model (r(2)=0.999). The logistic model fits the Lusitano mare's follicle size growth data very well and its parameters were also shown to have a credible biological interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Mata
- Hartpury College, University of the West of England, Hartpury, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom.
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Gamboa S, Francisco M, Gomes P, Mendes C, Machado-Faria M, Ramalho-Santos J. Level of Glycolyzable Substrates in Stallion Semen: Effect of Ejaculation Frequency on Sperm Survival after Cool Storage during the Nonbreeding Season. J Equine Vet Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2010.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Seasonal functional relevance of sperm characteristics in equine spermatozoa. Theriogenology 2010; 73:950-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2009] [Revised: 11/03/2009] [Accepted: 11/22/2009] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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